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Ashford Studios

• Filming in Ireland

Facilities  Three sound stages on 500 acres of pristine rural back lot.

Location  26 miles from Dublin city centre and 50 minutes from Dublin airport.

• Gasworks Stage: 30,000 sq. ft.
• Box Stage: 14,500 sq. ft.
• Christmas Tree Stage: 12,500 sq. ft.

In Development

Phase 1 (Existing) 73,000 sq. ft. of stage space 87,000 sq. ft. of service space 9 acre backlot

Phase 2 170,000 sq. ft. of stage space 526,000 sq. ft. of support space

Contact: www.as hfordstudios.com Email:  [email protected]

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7 Vikings Filming Locations In Ireland To Relive The Magic

Hop on to see some wonderful Viking filming Locations In Ireland and plan a trip soon.

The hit Vikings TV series from the History Channel has been enthralled audiences worldwide since its release in 2013. This historical drama with a total of six seasons was created by Michael Hirst, an English screenwriter and producer. It follows the adventures of Ragnar Lodbrok, a legendary 9th-century Viking, and later his family, and is based equally on fact and fiction. The series was so popular that it earned many nominations and awards.  It got praised globally not just for the riveting plot and special visual effects but also for its outstanding cinematography and beautiful Vikings filming locations.

If you have seen the series, the mesmerizing landscapes from this spectacular show must have made you wonder where was Vikings filmed. Majority of the show is set in England, Denmark, and other parts of Northern Europe, though there are also scenes set around the Mediterranean. However, a lot of ‘Vikings’ filming locations are actually in Ireland. In fact, many locations can be found just south of Dublin in Wicklow County. This area is known for its lush Nordic-looking landscapes and is filled with mountains, glacial lakes, and forests. 

Book Now: City of Vikings Historical Walking Tour

Table of Contents

Famous Vikings Filming Locations To Visit

Come let’s take you through the stunning mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, waterfalls and countryside that will transport you to the world of the Vikings.

1. Lough Tay, County Wicklow – Kattegat

Lough Tay in County Wicklow is one of the main filming locations for the settlement of Kattegat. This is where Ragnar Lothbrok and his family resided in the show. Also known as “Guinness Lake” (as it’s owned by the Guinness family) the fjord-style mountains of Wicklow County provide the perfect backdrop for the fictional village. Snow and other Scandinavian elements to the scene were often digitally edited and added to make it apt for the series. Unfortunately, the Loch itself lies on private land and you can’t get up close. The set of Kattegat village was located right near the shore before it was moved to Ashford Studios in Ballyhenry.

Best Time To Visit: Summer months of June, July and August

2. Blessington Lakes, County Wicklow

Many scenes featuring Ragnar and the other Viking Norsemen exploring the vast seas on longships are also filmed on the Blessington Lakes (especially during the third season). These lakes cover 500 acres in the majestic Wicklow Mountains and were only formed over 50 years ago. This is where Ireland’s largest man-made reservoir (Pulaphuca Reservoir) from where electricity and water is supplied to many parts of Dublin. Just remember to keep away from the water as swimming is prohibited in Blessington lakes because of the many hidden dangers. Several scenes were also filmed at the nearby Lough Dan. 

Best Time To Visit: June to late August

3. Luggula Estate, County Wicklow

Lough Tay is situated on the Luggala Estate, which is owned by the Guinness family. The Estate and its mountains also feature heavily in Vikings as the rugged Scandinavian landscape surrounding Kattegat. Luggula Estate, also known as “Fancy Mountain” is rightly famous for its breathtaking beauty and dramatic landscapes. As the estate is owned by the Guinness family, ask your tour operator to take permission if you wish to see it from close proximity.

Best Time To Visit: March through October

4. Powerscourt Waterfall, County Wicklow

Another filming location in County Wicklow was at Powerscourt. This gorgeous estate and its gardens cover 47 acres and date back to the 13th century. The 400-foot-high Powerscourt Waterfall was used in the scene where the audience is first introduced to Aslaug, the future wife of Ragnar. This waterfall is not just a popular attraction for people who loves to connect with nature but also one of the highest waterfalls in Ireland.

Best Time To Visit: Autumn months

5. Nuns Beach, County Kerry

Nuns Beach in County Kerry was used to film scenes set in medieval Northumbria. Located along the Wild Atlantic Way, Nuns Beach lies just beneath an old convent and gets its name from the nuns who used to bathe there. The beach is only accessible by boat or by a very steep path set on the side of the cliffs surrounding it. Just around the corner is an area called the Nine Daughters, which is associated with a fascinating legend. The story goes that the 9 daughters of the local Village Chief fell in love with Viking invaders and planned to run away with them. But, their father caught them and threw both his daughters and the Vikings into the sea, where they drowned.

Best Time To Visit: January, March and September

6. River Boyne, County Meath

In Season 4 of the show, the Vikings sail down the Seine River to take Paris. However, this was actually filmed on the Boyne River in County Meath, with the city of Paris being added in later with CGI. The Boyne River was picked for filming as it runs through some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland. The River Boyne runs through many counties but much of the Viking scenes were filmed along the walls of nearby Slane Castle. 

Best Time To Visit: April to July

7. Ashford Studios, County Wicklow

Finally, a lot of the show’s magic happens at Ashford Studios as most part of the series was shot in this studio. Also located in County Wicklow, this campus has been the show’s base since 2013. This is because of the 30km of shore that has forest, lakes and mountains which are perfect scenic locations for outdoor scenes. Many blockbuster movies have set up their sets at Wicklow and hence this place came to be known as ‘The Hollywood of Europe’. For indoor scenes, Ashford Studios had set up detailed and immersive sets to create convincing and captivating representation of Kattegat. This location has greatly contributed to the making of the series. 

Best Time To Visit: late spring and early autumn

Also Read:  25 Outlander Filming Locations Fans Must Visit In Real Life

Other ‘Vikings ‘ Filming Locations To Visit

• Vik Beach and Skógafoss Waterfall in Iceland‘s South Coast, which we see in Season 5 when boat-builder Flóki (who is loosely based on the real Viking Flóki Vilgerðarson, who according to the Icelandic sagas was the first Norseman to set foot on Iceland) sets out on his own and discovers the land, which he names “The Land of the Gods”;
• Parts of the Sahara Desert near Erfoud and Errachidia in Morocco, when in season 5, Ragnar’s eldest son Björn Ironside travels to the Mediterranean and to Sicily (because modern-day Sicily looks nothing like it did in medieval times). Here the fortress of the Byzantine commander was filmed at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate. The same fortress has previously been used in several other films, including Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000) and The Mummy (1999). 

Last but not the least, don’t miss to visit the Dublinia Viking Festival and Museum in Ireland. It is at the Dublinia Viking Festival where one can see what life was like aboard a Viking warship. Different Viking houses, the weapons they used and the clothes exhibited here are sure to take one back in time. The museum too has a good collection of artifacts that shows the blend between the old and new Dublin. 

Book Now: 5 Days Shetland Viking Fire Festival Experience

Final Thoughts

These remarkable Vikings shooting locations has been instrumental in creating an immersive depiction of the Viking age that led to the huge success of the series. Must say, the beautiful landscapes of Iceland have left an indelible mark in the hearts of its audience forever. Are there any Vikings filming locations that we’ve missed? If so, be sure to share them in the comments below.

Suggested Reads: Traditional Irish Dishes You Need To Try On Your Next Trip To Ireland!

Some FAQs On Vikings Filming Locations

During the first two seasons the entire town of Kattegat was the Vikings filming locations. From the filming of the third season the shooting was moved to Ashford Studios in Ireland to make it easy for the cast and crew to get to the location. The good news for Vikings fans is that, both the real Kattegat Vikings location and the manmade location at Ashford Studios are open for people to visit.

The stunning Nuns beach in the west Coast of Ireland is where the battle scene was shot, the black sand beaches near Vík is where the Land of the Gods that Flóki was shot in season 5 and Silverstrand beach in the south of Wicklow are beaches where the Vikings series was filmed. 

Although the majority of the series was filmed in Ireland, some breathtaking serene landscapes in Norway were also used to film Vikings.  The most significant Norwegian filming location was the village of Avaldsnes in Karmøy as it offered a wealth of stunning landscapes. Apart from these two locations, Denmark, Sweden, distant lands like England, France, and even the Mediterranean’s geographical area was explored over the course of its six seasons.

The Golden land in Vikings discovered by Ubbe and the settlers is believed to be in North America. The land is called ‘Golden Land’ as the land is quite fertile with forest, fruits, water and animals.

The longboat scenes with mountains, are shot on location in Nærøyfjorden in Norway, not Blessington Lakes. Same with the mountain fjord scenes as seen from Kattegat.

Some scenes involving longboats were indeed shot on location in Nærøyfjorden, but many others were filmed in Ireland on Blessington Lake (you can see an article covering it here ), and as this article focuses primarily on the show’s filming locations in Ireland, Blessington Lakes is the location we have chosen to include.

I have been going through your blog for quite a while now and i seriously love the updates you give.

Thank you for this beautiful article and specific location. Indeed Ireland an Norway are gorgeous.

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Uncover the Epic Filming Locations in Ireland

Journey through the lens of Vikings in Ireland! Discover the enchanting filming locations that brought the epic saga to life.

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Ashford Studios

4 Stages - More than 60,000 sq feet outside of Dublin

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4 Stages – More than 60,000 sq feet outside of Dublin

Our studios are set in irelands beautiful ‘garden of ireland’, wicklow county. located just 40 minutes from irelands capital city, dublin and airport and surrounded by the worlds most spectacular locations..

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Irish Studios Have a Moment in Clover

By John Anderson

• July 27, 2012

SOMETIMES it’s difficult getting even the Irish to watch Irish cinema. But the whole world is watching Irish-made television.

“The Tudors,” “The Borgias,” “Camelot,” “Love/Hate,” “Titanic: Blood and Steel,” “Raw,” “Ripper Street” and an assortment of BBC productions have been shot, are being shot or have their productions based in the Irish Republic. (Most of these have reached America already.) As economic uncertainty roils countries in the euro zone, deep cuts in government financing have affected the film and television industry in Spain , Portugal , the Netherlands and elsewhere. But not so here, where the combination of a weak euro and tax incentives have meant that small-screen work abounds.

At the brand-new Ashford Studios, 30 minutes south of this capital city, the groaning of saws and whining of drills echoed around Ragnar’s house, a rough-hewed Scandinavian-inspired assemblage of timber that will be the centerpiece of “ Vikings ,” the first scripted series being made for the History channel, as well as the first production for Ashford, in County Wicklow. Large as it is, Ragnar’s home doesn’t even dominate the room: the 30,000-square-foot main stage is a vast space competitive with London’s Pinewood Studios and is just part of this site that includes 300 acres that can provide rolling green fields or a rock quarry.

“Everyone we’d worked with had said, ‘Ireland would be terrific if you had bigger stages,’ ” said the veteran film producer Morgan O’Sullivan, a co-producer on “Braveheart” and “Angela’s Ashes,” among many other films. His companies Octagon and World 2000 are making “Vikings” in collaboration with History, MGM and Shaw Media in Canada. “And we do have a really nice facility called Ardmore Studios . This, Ashford, is sort of an add-on to Ardmore. So now it means that with the facilities in this country we can do a couple of productions at the same time, and a couple of large productions.”

Ardmore, owned by Paul McGuinness, U2’s manager, and the accountant Ossie Kilkenny, and also in County Wicklow, is not as healthy as it might be: it has not seen action since the Starz show “Camelot” ended last year, and its facilities are considered outdated. But despite a possible state takeover it is likely to continue a history stretching from “The Tudors” in 2010 back to “Shake Hands With the Devil” in 1959 with James Cagney.

When Ardmore and Ashford are added to a mix that includes the financial advantages of shooting in Ireland, it’s small wonder that Britain is eager to get its own television incentives in place and fight the outsourcing of its production. New incentives, to take effect in April, are seen as a direct response to Ireland’s TV boom.

“It’s very flattering,” Mr. O’Sullivan said, dryly. Among other projects that might have gone elsewhere, he said, was “Loving Miss Hatto,” a BBC television movie about the pianist at the heart of a notorious fraud in classical music in the 20th century. Mr. O’Sullivan’s partner, James Flynn, is producing that drama in Ireland.

“A lot of that kind of material could have been done in the U.K.,” Mr. O’Sullivan said. “And by the end of next year they’ll have an incentive.”

And when they do, said Derry O’Brien, the managing director of Network Ireland Television, smiling, “will that mean “Game of Thrones’ will get a double incentive?”

That series, an HBO hit, is the production of the moment. Shot largely in Northern Ireland, where filming for Season 3 has begun, “Game of Thrones” would quite likely have been made here, had the British government not delivered a special seven-figure tax incentive (which, it says, has meant approximately $66.7 million to the region’s economy). That, and the kind of room provided by Paint Hall, in Belfast, the cavernous space where the Titanic was painted, have kept Tyrion, Cersei and the other medieval mischief makers in Britain.

But the borders between countries, as well as between film and TV production, are rather porous here. For instance, the Irish Film Board and Northern Ireland Screen together helped finance “Game of Thrones.”

The agencies can team up when a project spends a certain percentage of money in each territory, Mr. O’Brien said. “For example, it would be a film that is primarily shot in Northern Ireland but would be postproduced in Dublin, or the sound work could be done here.”

In the meantime it’s Ashford that’s home to “Vikings.” Behind the scenes the team includes Michael Hirst (“Elizabeth,” “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”), who wrote all 38 episodes of “The Tudors,” and the costume designer Joan Bergin, a multiple Emmy winner for that show. She said she was brought onto “Vikings” under false pretenses.

“My big interest is in when they go to Byzantium,” she said of the Vikings, played in part by the Australian actor Travis Fimmell and the Irishman Gabriel Byrne. “I went to an exhibition at the Met a few months ago, and I had this vision of creating these glorious costumes, so I said, ‘I’ll do it.’ Then I found out they don’t get there till Season 2.”

Presuming there is a Season 2, “Vikings” will thus continue to aid the cause of employment in Ireland. “Our primary focus is to support Irish talent in making audio and visual works” whether it’s Irish co-productions or not, said James Hickey, chief executive of the Irish Film Board, at the Galway Film Fleadh.

An undertaking like “Vikings” hires 300 to 400 workers, Mr. O’Sullivan said. “So if you have three or four shows on at a time, that’s significant employment. And we’re just one production company.”

Another, headquartered in a Georgian town house along the Grand Canal here, is Element Pictures, which, like similar Irish companies, survives through diversity. It is involved in producing, co-producing, distributing, even showing films (via the city’s Light House Cinema).

Given the Irish economy and the instability within the euro zone, nothing’s a sure thing here. The filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson, whose latest project, “What Richard Did,” was produced through Element, said, “I think lots of us are like the guy falling through the air, having stepped off the ledge of a tall building, thinking, ‘So far, so good’ as he passes floor after floor.”

But as Element’s co-director, Ed Guiney, noted, the country is rather enlightened about the arts. Its president, Michael D. Higgins, is a former arts minister; he’s also a poet.

“The creative industries play very well right now in Ireland,” Mr. Guiney said. “We’re clearly not very good at property development, and clearly not very good at banking. But you could argue we’re not bad at art and theater and music and possibly film. We’re good at that stuff, so we should be nurturing that part of our talent base.”

An article last Sunday about the increase in television shows being filmed in Ireland misstated the name of the movie house in Dublin where the production company Element Pictures sometimes shows movies. It is Light House Cinema, not Limelight.

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The Ashford Estate

The Ashford Estate, Allentown, NJ Website: http://www.theashfordestate.com

The Ashford has been brilliantly designed on over 30 park-like acres of sculpted property, complete with sparkling fountains, waterfalls, a floating gazebo, stone ruins, garden arbors and sprawling views. In addition to the natural beauty of its grounds, The Ashford features immaculately preserved and architecturally astonishing structures, such as the barn chapel, carriage house and the grand ballroom. The Estate offers a monumental conservatory and a majestic solid oak library. Multiple sitting rooms and verandas provide extraordinary spaces between and around these magnificent gathering areas for people to converse during a spectacular cocktail hour. Not to be overlooked are the guest suites that are as elegant and posh as the finest hotels in the world. The photo opportunities are endless.

Jenna & Nicholas

Jessie & Nick

Gianna & Daniel

Victoria & Andrew

Kayla & Joseph

Alexandria & Chase

Jeliz & Ananias

Christina & Rob

Chelsea & Thomas

Christine & Max

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Multi million pound 'Netflix" film studio development in Ashford takes major step forward

• British Film Institute
• Friday 31 March 2023 at 6:02pm

The development of the Ashford International Film Studios has been given a significant boost.

Ashford Borough Council has agreed to loan the set-up £50 million to develop the old Newtown Works which were used as railway sheds until 30 years ago.

It is hoped the the TV and film studios will bring huge benefits to Ashford in terms of investment and job creation.

The British Film Institute says the film sector will need 10,000 new employees over the next five years, and two million square feet of new studio space.

Netflix and Amazon are among producers said to be looking at using studio space at the site.

The development will include 240,000 square foot of studio production space, a 120-bed hotel and 300 residential apartments.

The plans will also reuse Grade II listed railway sheds onsite, incorporating them into workshops being built for the studios.

Council Deputy Chief Executive Ben Lockwood said: "The report reflects the fact that the regeneration scheme at Newtown Works has the potential to deliver on the ambitions for recovery at a local, regional and national level.

"Our project has the added benefit of regenerating a brownfield site that has lain dormant for 30 years, as well as preserving buildings that contribute to the historic fabric of Ashford for generations to come.

"This scheme, subject to an amended planning consent, for the studio and workshop space, with a reputable studio operator secured and with the council's support together with the successful Levelling Up funding bid, provides a once in a generation opportunity to redevelop this nationally significant railway heritage site into a thriving economic driver for the area."

Tyler Perry’s ‘Divorce in the Black’ Drives More U.S. Prime Video Subscriptions Than Any Other Amazon MGM Movie, Studio Says (EXCLUSIVE)

By Angelique Jackson

Angelique Jackson

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Tyler Perry ‘s latest film “ Divorce in the Black ” not only drew strong viewership — Nielsen reported that it hit more than 498 million minutes watched in its first four days of availability on Amazon Prime Video — but according to Amazon, the soapy drama has also driven more sign-ups to Prime Video in the U.S. than any Amazon MGM Studios -produced movie to-date.

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Luminate’s movies chart also continues to rank “Divorce in the Black’s” progress. The film accumulated 93.2 million minutes watched during the week of July 26 to Aug. 1, its third week on Prime Video. (Disclosure: Variety and Luminate share a common owner in Penske Media Corp.)

“Divorce in the Black” stars Meagan Good as Ava, a young bank professional in a tumultuous marriage. When her husband Dallas (Cory Hardrict) asks for a divorce, Ava is at first devastated and determined to fight for their union, the official logline explains, “until fate intervenes, revealing Dallas’ wicked deeds that have trashed their marriage, and once upon a time sabotaged Ava’s destiny to be loved by her true soulmate.” Perry wrote and directed the film as part of his four-picture pact with Amazon Studios. He also produced with Good, Angi Bones, Will Areu and Dianne Ashford.

Amazon did not provide a number of subscribers or name which Amazon MGM film had previously driven the most subscriber growth. The company previously touted “Road House” as a top performer, with more than 50 million worldwide viewers in its first two weeks of release. The Jake Gyllenhaal-led remake is set to get a sequel , which Amazon MGM Studio chief Jennifer Salke revealed at the first-ever upfront presentation in May.

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Ed Sheeran joins Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium: Follow live updates from London

LONDON — Welcome to the live blog for the Eras Tour in London!

Taylor Swift returns to the stage for the final stop on the European leg of the Eras Tour after a suspected terror plot was thwarted in Vienna. Security measures are tight at Wembley Stadium. Fans with floor tickets were not allowed to camp overnight in the hopes of getting a spot closer to the stage, and Swifties can no longer "Taylor-gate" outside of the stadium if they don't have tickets.

As the Taylor Swift reporter for the USA TODAY Network, I’ll be your host for the evening keeping you updated on all the happenings from inside Wembley Stadium. Since taking the Taylor Swift reporter job in November, I’ve watched the show 69 times in person or on grainy livestreams (equivalent to 230 hours or nine and a half days). Follow along for updates as we go on a little adventure spanning 18 years of music.

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Confetti falls to the floor

And that’s a wrap on Thursday night in Wembley. Swift has four more shows in London. “The Alchemy” is ushering fans out as cleanups begin. Many fans are scurrying to pick up colorful confetti representing Swift’s various eras. 

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The credits for the cast and crew are projecting on the back screen.

During year one, the background song was “You’re On Your Own Kid” from “Midnights.”

Will Swift make an announcement before her two-month break and return to North America? 

We will be covering the highlights over the next few days.

Karma is the guy on the...

We are in the final song of the night.

Swift wore the glistening sky-blue T-shirt during “Anti-Hero,” the dark blue one-piece during "Midnight Rain" and is now grooving in the magenta fur coat to wrap up night one in Wembley Stadium.

She has sang "Karma (Travis' Version)" 13 times for the 13 shows he's attended as her boyfriend where she swaps out "Karma is the guy on the screen" with "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs." And while she will sing the former tonight, the audience will most likely scream the latter.

Ed Sheeran joins Eras Tour stage

Swift welcomed special guest Ed Sheeran to join her onstage for a mashup of their songs "Everything Has Changed" and "End Game" on acoustic guitar. The British singer-songwriter appeared on the original album recordings of the songs that appeared on "Red (Taylor's Version)" and "Reputation," respectively.

For the surprise set, the singer had something up her sleeveless blue dress. She began strumming her guitar singing “Everything Has Changed” from “Red (Taylor’s Version).”

The audience gasped. Some Swifties whispered, “Is Ed here?”

The song is a duet between Swift and her longtime friend Ed Sheeran.

“I just feel like something’s missing,” Swift said, and the decibel level in the stadium rocketed off the charts. “Good thing Ed Sheeran is here.”

He appeared on the center platform.

After harmonizing, the two mashed in “End Game,” another duet they sing on Swift’s sixth album “Reputation.” They finished with Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”

The crowd belted the song.

As they both strummed at the end, they gave each other a big hug and raised their guitars in the air. Swift kissed the top of Ed Sheeran’s head and then ruffled his red locks.

“This is my best friend, he is like a second brother to me,” Swift said, mentioning Sheeran is on tour and probably tired. She asked the crowd to make some noise and the noise felt like it might break the sound barrier.

The shock that surged through the stadium with Ed Sheeran as a surprise guest couldn’t be matched but Swift delivered a sweet mashup on the piano between “King of My Heart” from “Reputation” and “The Alchemy” from “The Tortured Poets Department.” The watches glowed bright green.Where’s the trophy? That was an epic surprise set for night one in Wembley!

For a complete list of every surprise song and mashup, click here.

Here comes the 'Tayoomba'

She was tame, she was gentle. But now Swift is on the Roomba-esque machine. The maddening and shiny contraption allows her to belt high notes while chasing her dancers.

During the last few shows in Germany and Warsaw, Poland, Swift added a shriek after the second-to-last line, "So who's afraid of little old me?" She did it again in London on Thursday.

A cool effect that always gets fans excited is the final filtered shot on the back screen where Swift looks like a dead-eyed glowing soul. She always tilts her head to the side. She told Post Malone in her "Fortnight" behind-the-scenes video, "Nothing says crazy like a slight tilt to the head."

Wembley screams 'LON-DON' during 'Blank Space' chant

When Swift performed "Blank Space," one of her most famous songs and one of Travis Kelce's favorites, the crowd played its part. Between lines of the bridge, stadiums shout the names of their city while Swift sings, "Boys only want love if it's torture." This ritual started during Swift's stint in Sydney, Australia, because of the 1989 World Tour movie shot there in 2015. During the song, Swift grabbed an iron golf club and struck a metal pole sticking out of the stage: boom, boom. She paused and did it again: boom, boom. But this time sang "Syd-ney." You can read more about the chant here .

Wait for the signal and I'll meet you after dawn

The lightning in the stadium sounded and Swift sauntered to meet her dancers dressed in green cloaks at the back of the stage. Holding glass, light-up orbs they recited the "Willow" chant. This is when fans blow up balloons and use cell phone lights to make them glow.

The Wembley Stadium listed balloons as one of the items not allowed inside, but a few hundred fans made orbs anyway.

In Amsterdam, three Swifties started the "Willow" trend. You can check out their story here .

Wembley gives Swift 3-minute standing ovation

When she pulled her inner ears out after "Champagne Problems," the audience lost it. She smiled and clutched her hands to her chest.

“If any of us — me, the dancers or the band — have a bad day again, we are going to replay that little memory in our minds,” she said to the crowd. 

Swift gets emotional during 'Folkmore' era

After finishing "Cardigan," Swift addressed the crowd.

"I just have to be honest with you guys now that I’ve calmed down a little bit," she said. "The first time I saw this crowd when I came out from backstage ... my whole mind went blank."

She described the feeling as a "love system overload."

"I can't believe that 92,000 people are being this loving and caring and generous to us all at once," she said. "It's just wonderful what you do for us. ... All of us are going to miss it so much when we don't get to do it anymore. Feelings and emotions that I didn’t think about before talking about in front of 92,000 people."

Eras Tour outfits

On Thursday, Swift wore the following:

• Her blue and pink "Lover" bodysuit
• Her silver blazer for "The Man"
• Her black and silver "Fearless" dress
• Her "A lot going on at the moment" T-shirt for "Red"
• Her purple cupcake dress for "Speak Now"
• Her classic "Reputation" bodysuit
• Her green dress for "Folkmore"
• Her green and pink top and skirt for "1989"
• Her "Who's afraid of little old me? You should be" gown for "The Tortured Poets Department"
• The black two-piece with a gold jacket for "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart"
• Her blue dress for the acoustic set
• Her sky-blue T-shirt for "Anti-Hero"
• Her chevron bodysuit for "Midnight Rain"
• Finally, Swift closed the show in her magenta fur coat

If you happen to have 10 minutes to spare...

Swift’s dancers exit the stage following “I Knew You Were Trouble” as Swift slings her guitar over her shoulder and heads to center stage alone. The Eras Tour's guitar hangs in anticipation of playing Swift's heartbreaking ballad from the “Red” era.

If not for the rerecording of her fourth era, Swifties may have never heard “All Too Well (10-Minute Version).” The singer stated in an interview that the original song had been edited down to five minutes. Fans implored her to release the lengthier version and she did as a vault song to “Red (Taylor’s Version).” The song skyrocketed on the charts, unseating “American Pie” by Don McLean as the longest No. 1 hit in Billboard’s Hot 100 chart history.

“We were lucky enough to play Wembley stadium back in June, were any of you there?” she asked Thursday to get a loud cheer response. “Thanks for coming back, you guys.”She asks if anyone is new. An even louder roar erupts.

Swift has performed the 10 minute and 13 second song 127 times. In total, that’s 1,298 minutes or 22 hours. At the end, white confetti will fall to the ground to represent snow referenced in the heartbreak anthem.

What did Kam say?

A fan-favorite for livestreamers is to log on and see what dancer Kameron Saunders is going to say during the bridge of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

When Swift performed 53 shows across America, he said “Like Ever” as a response to Swift saying, “So he calls me up and he’s like, ‘I still love you,' and I mean this is exhausting, like we are never getting back together.” But for her international shows he mixed up the expression catering it to the culture and language of each international city.

On Thursday in London, Saunders said, “Are you mad?”

For a complete list of Saunders' sayings, click here .

The coveted '22' hat

Taylor Swift emerged for her “Red” era in her "A Lot Going On at the Moment" shirt. Swift has six custom-made shirts including: “We are never getting back together like ever,” “Who’s Taylor Swift anyway? Ew,” “This is not Taylor’s Version,” “I bet you think about me” and “I knew U were trouble.”

Different than her other tours, there are no meet-and-greets or secret fan rooms, so the closest a mere mortal can get to the superstar is being the one chosen as the “22" hat recipient. Swift’s team makes the selection moments before the concert begins and usually invites that person to the VIP tent area. At the conclusion of the “Fearless” era, her team will bring the lucky fan down to the end of the catwalk.

Swift autographs the brim of the black fedora designed by milliner Gladys Tamez. 

“I’ve been like so, so humble and so grateful to do this,” Tamez said in April, “because I’ve worked with her team for a long time and then to have this moment, I was excited.”

Tonight Swift has chosen the 127th member of the exclusive "22" fedora club .

To learn more about how "22" hat recipients are chosen, click here .

Idris Elba attends Eras Tour

Actor Idris Elba attended Thursday's show. It's only appropriate since he iconically introduced "London Boy" on the "Lover" album. Before the beat drops he says, "We can go drivin' in, on my scooter / Uh, you know, just 'round London."

During Swift's June residency at Wembley, an abundance of A listers attended including Prince William and two of his children,  Sir Paul McCartney,  Jon Bon Jovi, Hugh Grant, Cate Blanchett, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Kylie Kelce and Swift's parents Scott and Andrea.

The last European shows of the Eras Tour

"What an absolute honor and what a delight and a thrill it is to say these words to you: London, welcome to the Eras Tour!" Swift told Wembley Stadium. “I stand here on this stage knowing that I’m about to play the first show of the last stop of the European leg of the Eras Tour, and the way that you’ve chosen to welcome us, 92,000 of you and screaming the words. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.” 

Swift thanked her opening acts, starting with Sofia Isella.

“It’s crazy to me that it’s coming to an end,” Swift says of touring Europe with her opening act Paramore. 

The show begins

Oh hi! Taylor Swift returns to the stage to perform her “Lover set.” This is the singer’s first appearance since her team canceled three shows in Vienna because of a thwarted terrorist plot. She glimmers in her blue and pink bodysuit.

The 34-year-old has five “Lover” bodysuit variations: tangerine, gold and blue, purple, pink, and blue and pink.

“Well fancy meeting you here at Wembley Stadium," she says, pointing to the restricted view section and tracing the arena. The 92,000 fans let out an ear-shattering roar.“OK well that was amazing. I’m really feeling like immediately that has gone to my head. You’ve got me feeling really, really powerful," she says as she puts on a silver jacket before singing "The Man."

Cue the Eras Tour overture

The backdrop screen to the Eras Tour just shifted to a countdown clock starting at 2:24. Leslie Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” fills the stadium.

When the tour first started in March of 2023, fans were surprised Swift began her set with “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince,” but the opener makes sense due to the lines “it’s been a long time coming” and “it’s you and me, that’s my whole world." Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Swift had to cancel her Loverfest stadium show in 2021 and hadn’t toured since the Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018. 

After her first football stadium concert series and before the start of the Eras Tour, she released four new eras: “Lover,” “Folklore,” “Evermore” and “Midnights.” For the Eras Tour, she combined her 10 eras into a three-plus-hour show.

When Swift released “The Tortured Poets Department” in April — under the veil of secrecy — she and her dancers flew a little over a week early to Paris to rehearse an updated show. The crowd lost it when they saw the new version on May 9.

If you’re following along, here is the order of the eras in the overture:

• “It's fearless”
• “Big reputation”
• “And they said ’Speak Now’”
• “Into folklore”
• “My name is Taylor, and I was born in 1989”
• “Straight from the tortured poets department”
• “Cause loving him was red”
• “Meet me at midnight”

Standby: We're 'In Ha Mood'

The Ice Spice beat dropped. Swifties are trained to run back from the bathroom or concession stands as soon as they hear "In Ha Mood" begin playing. It means Taylor Swift will appear in about 10 minutes. 

The dancers and band will make their way to the stage. Taylor Swift is hidden in a “cleaning cart” at the end of the cast walking up the ramp. Her cart is being pushed by production workers who will stop the cart right before a set of stairs that take Swift to the main platform. 

“Applause” by Lady Gaga will play next. As the song blares across an anxious and excited audience, dancers will put pink and ombre parachute flaps on their backs and line up behind the main stage door.

Taylor Swift's massive set list of 46 songs

The crowd eagerly awaited the start of the show as the "Bejeweled" behind-the-scenes video played indicating Swift was about to embark on a three-plus-hour show era-by-era. Here is her 46-song setlist:

• Lover: "Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince," "Cruel Summer," "The Man," "You Need to Calm Down" and "Lover"
• Fearless: "Fearless," "You Belong With Me" and "Love Story"
• Red: "22," "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," "I Knew You Were Trouble" and "All Too Well (10-Minute Version)"
• Speak Now: "Enchanted"
• Reputation: "...Ready For It?" "Delicate," "Don't Blame Me" and "Look What You Made Me Do"
• Folkmore (Folklore and Evermore combined set): "Cardigan," "Betty," "Champagne Problems," "August," "Illicit Affairs," "My Tears Ricochet," "Marjorie" and "Willow"
• 1989: "Style," "Blank Space," "Shake it Off," "Wildest Dreams" and "Bad Blood"
• The Tortured Poets Department: "But Daddy I Love Him," "So High School," "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me," "Down Bad," "Fortnight," "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" and "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart"
• Acoustic guitar mashup and acoustic piano mashup
• Midnights: "Lavender Haze," "Anti-Hero," "Midnight Rain," "Vigilante S---," "Bejeweled," "Mastermind" and "Karma"

Paramore set list

“Oh yeah London! It’s good to be back with you," Hayley Williams boomed into the mic. "Oh how we’ve missed you. We can never get enough London. Ever!”“It’s an honor and a privilege to be here. Never in our entire world did we ever think we’d play at Wembley Stadium so thank you for making this possible.”Their set list included:

• “Hard Times” with Blondie mashup of “Heart of Glass”
• “Burning Down the House”
• “Still Into You”
• “Forgiveness”
• “Caught in the Middle”
• “The Only Exception”
• “Misery Business”
• “Ain’t It Fun”
• “This Is Why”

The rousing opening act energized Wembley as Williams lay on the ground in the center spotlight and belted the end of “Ain’t It Fun.” London was overcast, with the open-roofed arena sitting at 73 degrees. The floor was packed with every inch covered by Swifties and the rest of the stadium filled to 60%. Swift will take the stage in about 30 minutes.

'Ain't it fun' that Paramore is here?

Hayley Williams, Taylor York and Zac Farro have been the opening act for Taylor Swift on the European leg of the  Eras Tour . The trio have dazzled for 43 shows across Europe. They will wrap their involvement on Tuesday and make their way back to Nashville, Tennessee, where they're based.

Right before leaving for Paris in May, Paramore was dubbed the Global Ambassadors for Record Store Day, a title Swift held in 2022. They surprised fans at Grimey's record store in Nashville.

Swift's final opening act for the remaining North America shows will be Gracie Abrams.

Is Travis Kelce coming back to Eras Tour?

It's not likely Swift's boyfriend will be at the shows in England. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has his final training camp practice on Thursday before the Chiefs' preseason home game on Saturday against the Detroit Lions. Although Swift could make the following preseason home game on Aug. 22 as the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears.

Who could forget Travis Kelce breaking the internet the last time Swift performed in Wembley by appearing on stage to carry her after her symbolic crash to the ground from "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived." He attempted to revive her alongside backup dancers Jan Ravnik and Kameron Saunders so she could sing, "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart."

Sofia Isella set list

“This is the most insane view I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” opening act Sofia Isella told Wembley Stadium.

Her set list included:

• “Cacao and Cocaine”
• “Everybody Supports Women”
• “Unattractive”
• “I Looked the Future in the Eyes, It's Mine”

Isella played six songs in her 25-minute set.

Sofia Isella takes the stage

Similar to inviting three artists to open before Paramore in June, Swift has invited five singers to share the stage in Wembley Stadium. Up first is Sofia Isella , a 19-year-old classically trained violinist, songwriter, producer and singer. The rising star was born in Beverly Hills, California, but lives in Australia.

When Swift let the cat out of the bag on Aug. 5, Isella shared a message on Instagram: "Someone I’ve never met has changed my life even more than she already has just through her writing alone. Your fearlessness in continuing to push yourself and win again and again is the most joyful thing to watch, Taylor. Thank you."

The acts that will open the rest of the Wembley dates are:

• Friday: Holly Humberstone
• Saturday: Suki Waterhouse
• Monday: Maisie Peters
• Tuesday: Raye

Doors are open

It's official. Wembley Stadium has just opened the doors to allow VIP guests into the arena. The general admission sections will open in about thirty minutes. Thousands of Swifties are pouring in.

Lining up at 4 a.m.

Amy Willow of Brighton, United Kingdom, rode up on the overnight train with her two best friends hoping to get in line for Thursday night's Eras Tour show. The early morning wake up call landing her at Wembley Stadium at 4 a.m. was a good call. She ended up being first in line.

"I was like, 'Oh my God, there's going to be like a queue of a hundred people,'" she says four hours before general admission doors open. "Crickets, literal crickets. There was no one here. It was amazing."

Wembley Stadium tells fans without a ticket: Don't come

The stadium that seats 89,000 fans told anyone without an Eras Tour ticket not to come. Additional ticket checks have been added around the stadium and fans will need to show proof of passes before entering the general vicinity.

Wembley Stadium's website  also implemented stricter security measures including no overnight camping and no  "Taylor-gating,"  where devoted fans without tickets congregate outside of a stadium to listen to the live concert and engage in dancing and friendship bracelet trading. The stadium is not allowing anyone to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympics Steps at the front. Non-ticketholders will be "moved on."

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Follow Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West on  Instagram ,  TikTok  and  X as @BryanWestTV .